David A. Dudley Jr

STEWARTSTOWN – David A. Dudley, Jr., 72, of Stewartstown, died at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, following a brief battle with brain cancer. To those in Stewartstown he was known as the local butcher, to his friends and family he was a wonderful brother, uncle, father, grandfather and lifelong friend. David passed away quietly surrounded by the love of his life, Christine Webster, and his two daughters. David was born at Memorial Hospital in North Conway on July 31, 1951, to Cecile Miller and David Dudley, Sr. He was raised in Bartlett along with his three sweet sisters, Diane, Connie and Beverly. He also spoke lovingly about his hometown and the many hours he spent in the woods hunting and fishing, swimming the rivers, messing around at the railroad trestles, learning to play instruments from the neighbors and, of course, causing a little town mischief with "the Bartlett boys.” You all know who you are! He also spent many summers taking the train from Bartlett to Colebrook to work on his grandparent’s farm. He would often tell of the hard work in those hot fields, required porch naps (even as a teenager), meals made from scratch, the occasional root beer float, learning to pickle, milking the cows, replacing fence posts, and sleeping like a rock in that old farm house. David attended school at Bartlett Elementary School and then A. Crosby Kennett High School in Conway. He played sports, and was a member of the choir and band during his high school days. He later left high school and joined the Navy, making the USS Buck 761 his new home. He proudly served his country, enjoyed all the travel and returned to civilian life. David returned to his love of music and played the bass guitar in many local bands, got married and raised his family in the Conway area. Over the years he worked for JV Components, Mr. Butcher, Hannaford Supermarkets, Palmer Machine Shop, and Solomon's Grocery where he worked for almost 20 years in West Stewartstown, retiring in 2018. David has two daughters from a previous marriage: Stacey Dudley and her husband Drew Strout of Lincolnville, Me., and Jamie Dudley and her partner Donnie Butters of Chatham N.H. He leaves behind 5 grandchildren for whom his world revolved around, and he recently learned he would become a great-grandfather this fall to twins! Known as Camp Grampa to them, he was the keeper of good snacks, he was the great north woods "deer & bear killer" and one heck of a fisherman! Every brook they dropped line in was a magic brook! For the past 13 years, David was reunited with a middle school girlfriend he met again at a class reunion. He and his honey-bee (Christine) spent a little more than the last decade caring for each other in their little cabin in the woods. They spent much of their time raising gardens, canning, laughing and telling stories from their porch, watching the hummingbirds, and preparing for the seasons of the north country that can include multiple winters, 3rd spring, 2 weeks of summer, all in the same year! They loved the solitude and simplicity of their life in Stewartstown. Christine and his daughters will recall his love of ice cream, lobster and lottery tickets. He loved all of God’s animals, especially his golden retriever "Ole Holly Girl," who saw him through tough times. David's retirement left more time to go antiquing, renewed his interest in old coins, getting reacquainted with old western movies, getting back into bow-hunting, and spending more time with his family and friends. His daughters will spend the rest of their lives trying to perfect his pot roast and mashed potatoes! Just the best evah! David will always be remembered for his sense of humor, colorful language, hospitality, love of cooking, independent nature and willingness to learn. He would tell you he never went to college because the school of "hard knocks" was offering a free ride for all of those who showed up! Then he would nudge your shoulder, smile and laugh and give you a big hootie-who! He will be sadly missed but his memory will live on in our hearts. Visting hours are planned at Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home at 103 Main Street, Colebrook, NH, on Sunday, May 19th, 2024, from 1:30-3 pm. A celebration of life will be planned later this summer. Expressions of sympathy in David's memory may be made to: Homeland Heroes Foundation, 10 Delaware Drive, Suite 1, Salem, NH 03079; or visit: www.homelandheroesfoundation.org. Condolences may be offered on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

David A. Dudley Jr

July 31, 1951 - April 23, 2024